Part 9 - The Saluvas of Tirupati

Members of this line of the Saluvas distinguished themselves by making large sanction to gods at Tirupati and Srisailam, mahamandlesvara Erramaraja and his father Attimalla Allibhima Timmaraja of Chalukyanarayanachchari perhaps Kalahasti appear in a record dated A.D. 1363. Errama bore the usual Saluva titles. But his Saluva descent is doubted and it is opined that his father’s titles “throw a suspicion on his southern descent and seem to connect him with the Samburaya.” Kathari Saluva Sankideva Maharaja, the Oovernor of Pendlimarri in Muhkinatisima and his son Mangayadeva Maharaja figure in a record of A.D. 1370. They were feudations of Virabukka of Vijayanagar. Kathari Saluva Narasimha, son of Vallabha and grandson of Narasimha is mentioned in an inscription dated A D 1393 He is distinct from the usurper Narasina.

Erakamparaja entitled—misaraganda, Kathari and Saluva is mentioned in a record at Chiyyavaram, dated A.D. 1404.Rangappayya deva and his son Mallaraju bearing the Saluva titles find mention in a record at Bammavaram, dated AD. 1441. Saluva Tippyaadeva Maharaja or Dpparaja had two sons—Selva Tippadeva ruling in A.D. 1442-43 as seen from a record at Satravada and Goparaja governing Tekal in Mysore State. From a record at Pedda Chinnakunta (Suvel taluq) dated A.D. 1442, Saluva Kampayadeva, son of Aubalayyadeva and grandson of Nalayampayadeva, is known.He bore Saluva titles. In A.D.1449 Sirumallayadeva Maharaja, son of Mallagangaya maharaja made grants at Tirupati. In A.D. 1467 Mallayadeva bearing Saluva titles granted Gangarajupura near Penubala for the merit of his father Gangarajayya. Saluva Parvataraja figures in records at Tirupatiand Srisailam dated A.D. 1465 and 1467. Probably he is identical with Chikkaparavatanayaka of a record dated A.D. 1482 Saluva Erakampayadeva figures in records at Tirupati and Srisailam His son was Pedamallapa.

A record at Vilhyambakkam (Chingleput District) dated Kali 4540 (A.D. 1440) in the reign of Devaraya II, Saluva Hanumantarayanaraju of the lunar race, the holder of two villages as fief in the region and his son Hanumantaraja are heard of. From three inscriptions dated A D 1478, 1481 and 1486 respectively at Anbil (Trichinopoly district) Saluva Sangama deva is heard of. Tirumala, son of Srirangaraja and grandson of Kathari Saluva maharaja was ruling some tracts about Rajahmundry and in a portion of Kalinga in A.D. 1522-1523. The same tracts were ruled over by Saluva Narasimha Singabhupala—relative of Bahubalendra in A.D. 1589.

The rulers of Karvetinagar claim Saluva descent. A family of the Salva Reddis is said to have migrated from the vicinity of Pithapur about 8th or 9th century A.D. Saluva Narasa Reddis was in the service of Vimaladitya of the Vengi Chalukyas and was bestowed with the rulership over the tracts about Tirupati. Thus Narasa Reddi, the founder ruled about A.D. 1030 and founded Narasapuram. His grandson Venkatapatinayadu, was dispossessed of his tracts by the Cholas and Bhimanayadu, son of Venkatapati recovered the tracts. Narasimha, son of Bhima is said to have ruled for thirty years and assumed independence after assisting Kirtivaraman the Chera king in his expedition. His son Bhujanganayaka, is said to have been defeated by Sanasvana I or III of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and was taken prisoner to Kalyan where he died. His grandson recovered the estate.

After wards, these Saluvas came under the Cholas again—In A.D. 1230, Rajaraja II is said to have curtailed their estate to twenty villages. For the next four generations the Saluvas prospered. In A.D. 1314 the Saluva chief gave his daughter in marriage to Prolayavema of Kondavidu Reddis. Afterwards, these Saluvas accepted service under the king of Vijayanagar and remained thus for 200 years. The family became extinct with Seshachala Reddi, according to whose wish, his family name Saluva is retained as one of the titles of the Bommaraju family which succeeded the Saluvas. This family has the royal seal and boar signet conferred on Narasa Reddi by Vimaladitya.

The title—Saluvadhattavibhala of the Maratla family is.reminicent of the Saluvas and their rule.